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Special teams treat

Detroit Lakes downs Breckenridge-Wahpeton on shorthanded goal

Taylor Magnuson (25) and his Detroit Lakes teammates celebrate a second-period goal that gave the Lakers the lead for good in a 3-1 victory over Breckenridge-Wahpeton. Photos by Tim Kolehmainen.

Game recap

Senior Taylor Magnuson scored on a short-handed flurry early in the second period to help Detroit Lakes earn a 3-1 victory over host Breckenridge/Wahpeton Thursday, Dec. 20 at the Stern Sports Arena. Magnuson's goal helped erase a one-goal deficit after one period for the Lakers (4-3-0).

Breckenridge/Wahpeton (2-6-0) had led 1-0 on Brett Pietron's unassisted power play goal at 12:00 of the first period. With the Lakers already serving a 5-minute major on Kyle Hermann, Michael Hermann was assessed a minor and the Blades took advantage. Just four seconds into the 5-on-3, Pietron gathered in a loose puck off a face off to Steele's left and ripped in the power play tally.

Pietron's tally came after Detroit Lakes had opened up a 14-2 shot advantage through the first half of the period. But with goaltender Michael Withuski playing well (33 saves on 36 shots), the lead held into the second.

Michael Hermann tied the game just 2:18 into the second period for the Lakers, then assisted on Magnuson's game-winner.

Jonathan Hallisley added an insurance goal late in the third for Detroit Lakes, which has now won three straight games and allowed a single goal in each one. Meanwhile, the Blades are on a four-game losing streak.

MacKenzie Steele made 29 saves in goal for the Lakers. The two teams combined for three major penalties with game misconducts in the hard-hitting contest.

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Statistics, summary

1. Taylor Magnuson, Detroit Lakes
Magnuson's short-handed goal in the second period proved to be the game winner for the Lakers and erased a one-goal first-period deficit. The senior center scored the only special teams goal for his team, despite a game filled with three major penalties and several minors.

2. Michael Withuski, Breckenridge-Wahpeton
The senior goaltender was on his game, making 33 saves on 36 shots. He was at his best early, as the Blades were outshot 14-2 in the opening minutes, but held the Lakers off the scoreboard. Withuski was aggressive and confident, often coming well out of his crease to play pucks.

3. Austin Rusness, Detroit Lakes
Rusness picked up a lone second assist for his only point of the night on the Lakers' third period goal, but he was a factor all game long. The senior forward used his speed to create odd-man rushes for the Lakers and was a battering ram at times, hitting everything that moved.